The Role of a Bariatric Surgeon in Your Obesity Treatment Journey
This information is general in nature and does not replace personalised professional advice. Please contact your healthcare team if you have any questions or concerns.
Author: Madison Bruhn, Accredited Practising Dietitian
Peer reviewed by: Dr Alex Craven, Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon
Last reviewed: April 2026
What is a bariatric surgeon?
A bariatric surgeon is a doctor who specialises in surgery for obesity treatment (also called bariatric, metabolic or obesity surgery) [1]. Metabolic bariatric surgery is an evidence-based treatment option for people living with obesity. It can lower the risk of early death and improve many health conditions linked with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea and joint pain [2-4].
Obesity is a chronic and relapsing condition [5]. For some people, metabolic bariatric surgery can be an appropriate and effective treatment. It is not a “last resort” or a result of “failing” other approaches [6,7]. Instead, it may be recommended based on how a person’s body regulates weight, appetite and metabolism. Metabolic bariatric surgery works by changing how the body controls hunger, fullness and blood sugar levels [8].
Surgery is just one part of obesity care. It works best when combined with support from a healthcare team. This may include medical care, nutrition support and mental health support both before and after surgery [1,8].
What does a bariatric surgeon do?
A metabolic bariatric surgeon can:
Check if surgery is safe and suitable for you [2,8].
Explain different surgery options, including talking through the risks and benefits [2,8].
Perform the surgery [2,8].
Monitor your recovery [2].
Work closely with your healthcare team long-term [1].
Their goal is to improve your overall health. They perform metabolic bariatric surgery to improve significant health conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, joint pain, heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as improve a person’s quality of life [2-4].
Who might be offered surgery?
In Australia, a person may be eligible for bariatric surgery if they:
Have a BMI of 35 or higher, or
Have a BMI of 30 or higher with health problems related to weight, or have not reached their health goals with other treatments, or
Meet other important medical and safety criteria [9].
Before surgery, a full medical assessment is completed. This helps make sure the procedure is safe and that you feel prepared for the lifestyle changed needed after surgery [2]. Meeting with a surgeon does not mean you have to go ahead with surgery. It is often a chance to learn more about your options, ask questions and decide what’s right for you [2,8].
Types of surgery they may discuss
Common procedures in Australia include:
Gastric sleeve (also known as sleeve gastrectomy) – The stomach shape is changed into a narrow tube by removing part of it This changes the way the stomach and intestine respond to food [8].
Gastric bypass – Separates the stomach to a create a small pouch, that empties directly into the bowel. This changes how food moves through the gut, and again how the stomach and intestine respond to food. There are multiple types of gastric bypass, the more common ones including One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass, and Roux en Y gastric bypass [2,8].
There are also other evidence-based operations for obesity performed in Australia.
Each option works differently. While all evidence-based operations for obesity are very effective, they each come with specific advantages, and disadvantages [9]. Your surgeon will help you choose the one that best suits your health, lifestyle and goals. Most procedures are done using a keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, which usually means smaller scars, less pain and a faster recovery [2,8].
How surgery can help
Bariatric surgery can:
Improve health and quality of life [2].
Make it easier to move and be physically active [2].
Reduce the chance of early death [3].
Reduce your appetite [8].
Help you feel satisfied eating smaller amounts of food [8].
Support long-term (sustainable) healthy eating patterns by changing your body’s hunger hormones [8].
Improve type 2 diabetes, and in some cases, lead to remission (when blood sugar levels return to normal without medication) [2,4].
Bariatric metabolic surgery is not a quick fix. It is an effective treatment option that works best when combined with ongoing lifestyle changes and support to maintain health long term [1,4,8].
What happens before and after surgery?
Before surgery, you will meet your surgeon, who will discuss your health, surgery options, and ensure you have a treatment plan that meets your needs. This will include making sure you understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the specific type of metabolic surgery, as well as what to expect before, and after surgery [2,8,9]. You are also likely to:
See other members of your healthcare team, such as a dietitian and psychologist, to help assess how surgery will fit into your life and prepare you for the long-term lifestyle changes needed to stay healthy after surgery [1,8].
Have blood tests or scans to check your health before surgery [8].
Follow a short-term diet, often a very low energy diet (VLED), to reduce the size of your liver (which sits just above your stomach). This helps make surgery safer and more straightforward [10].
After surgery, you will be supported through your recovery and care. You will:
Stay in hospital for a few days while your recovery is monitored [1].
Slowly reintroduce foods (liquids → soft foods → solids) [1,8].
Take vitamin and mineral supplements forever [4].
Build and maintain regular physical activity to support strength [4].
Have regular check-ups with your GP, surgeon and healthcare team [8].
Continue working with your healthcare team to support your safety and long-term success [1].
How much does it cost to see a bariatric surgeon?
The cost of seeing a bariatric surgeon is different from the cost of having surgery. Costs can vary depending on whether you access care through the public or private system, and whether you have private health insurance.
In the private system, you can book an appointment directly with a bariatric surgeon. You will usually pay a consultation fee. If you have a referral from your GP, you may receive a Medicare rebate to cover part of this cost. There is often still an out-of-pocket fee. In the public system, there is usually little to no cost to see a bariatric surgeon. However, wait times can be long and you may not be able to choose your surgeon. Access to surgery through the public system is also limited and based on strict eligibility criteria [11].
To learn more about the costs of bariatric surgery, please see our factsheet, ‘The Costs of Bariatric Surgery in Australia’.Your clinic or surgeon can also provide you with a personalised quote for consultation and surgery fees, so you know what to expect.
How to find a bariatric surgeon?
Look for a surgeon who has recognised qualifications and specialises in bariatric or metabolic surgery. You can check for FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons), which is a recognised specialist surgical qualification.
Ways to find a bariatric surgeon in Australia:
Ask your GP
They can talk through your options.
Refer you to a local bariatric surgeon.
Provide a referral so you can claim Medicare rebate.
Use the Australian & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) “Find a Surgeon” Tool
Search by location.
Lists practitioners who specialise in bariatric surgery.
Check hospital websites
Many hospitals list their bariatric surgeons and clinics online
Try searching “bariatric surgeon + your suburb/city” to find local services
References
Dr Mastakov Surgery (2026). What Does a Bariatric Surgeon Do? https://mastakovsurgery.com.au/what-does-a-bariatric-surgeon-do/
Runkel N, Colombo-Benkmann M, Hüttl TP, Tigges H, Mann O, Sauerland S. Bariatric surgery. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2011;108(20):341-6. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2011.0341
Sjöström L, Narbro K, Sjöström CD, Karason K, Larsson B, Wedel H, et al. Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Mortality in Swedish Obese Subjects. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(8):741-52. https://doi.org/doi:10.1056/NEJMoa066254
Brethauer SA, Chand B, Schauer PR. Risks and benefits of bariatric surgery: current evidence. Cleve Clin J Med. 2006;73(11):993-1007. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.73.11.993
Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH, on behalf of the World Obesity F. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obesity Reviews. 2017;18(7):715-23. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12551
Rubino F, Nathan DM, Eckel RH, Schauer PR, Alberti KG, Zimmet PZ, et al. Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(6):861-77. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0236
Mechanick JI, Apovian C, Brethauer S, Timothy Garvey W, Joffe AM, Kim J, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutrition, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Procedures – 2019 Update: Cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology, The Obesity Society, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society of Anesthesiologists. Obesity. 2020;28(4):O1-O58. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22719
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (2020). Types of Weight-loss Surgery. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22719
Eisenberg D, Shikora SA, Aarts E, Aminian A, Angrisani L, Cohen RV, et al. 2022 American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg. 2023;33(1):3-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06332-1
Nilsen I, Andersson A, Laurenius A, Österberg J. Low-energy diets before metabolic bariatric surgery: A systematic review of the effect on total body weight, liver volume, glycemia and side effects. Obes Rev. 2025;26(4):e13876. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13876
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (2026). Medical Costs Finder. https://medicalcostsfinder.health.gov.au/